[Greens-Media] Greens call on Government to amend new dog breeding code - Penniucik

[Amanda.Sharp at parliament.vic.gov.au]

Greens call on Government to amend new dog breeding code

Wednesday 7 May 2014

Victorian Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson, Sue Pennicuik, has called on 
the government to stick to its promise to crack down on puppy farms and 
amend the newly revised code of practice for breeding and rearing 
establishments to limit the number of litters that a female dog can have 
in a registered breeding establishment to five. 

"This provision was included in the final draft code of practice in 
December last year, but was removed by the government at the last minute," 
Ms Pennicuik said. "Thousands of people who participated in good faith and 
made submissions on the revision of the code are now left feeling furious 
and betrayed by the process, the minister and the government.

"Rather than placing an enforceable limit on the number of litters that 
female dogs can have - as was expected, the new code allows for breeders 
to continue breeding from that dog indefinitely if they obtain a 
veterinary certification to indicate the dog is sufficiently healthy to 
continue breeding after five litters," Ms Pennicuik said. 

"This is totally contrary to the intention of the revision of the code, 
which was to put an end to cruel practices and the exploitation of animals 
in pet breeding establishments," Ms Pennicuik said. "It seems that rather 
than cracking down on puppy farm operators, the government has caved in to 
them at the last moment.

"It is cruel and exploitative to force a female dog to continue to bear 
litters and people were expecting to see an end to this practice with the 
new code. 

"These last minute, secret changes to the draft code, have caused great 
consternation amongst animal welfare organisations such as Oscar's Law, 
the RSPCA, the Humane Society and others, as well as the general public. 

"The Greens are calling on the government to immediately amend the new 
code to reinstate the provision to limit to five the number of litters 
that a female dog in a registered breeding establishment can have."

For further comment: Sue Pennicuik: 0409 055 875 / 03 9530 8399

Sue's adjournment: 
http://vicmps.greens.org.au/content/dog-breeding-controls


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Parliament of Victoria                                                                                                                    . 
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